Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits he wants Mario Balotelli to reign in his off-field antics.

Mancini feels the near scrapes are holding the youngster back.

"Mario can improve every week and every month," he said. "He is young and when you are a young player, you improve always.

"I hope the New Year can bring a different way for him and that he can understand if he wants to play well and have a good private life, he should have good behaviour always, not for one week yes and then change for two days.

"Every top player has a good private life and a good behaviour.

"They are the first in training every day. This is the way it needs to be for him."